Short Wave Science Movie Club: 'Arrival'
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Aug 21, 2020 Field linguist Jessica Coon from McGill University, who consulted on 'Arrival,' joins to explore the film's innovative take on linguistics. She highlights the film's accurate and inaccurate portrayals of language and communication with aliens. Coon discusses the challenges of getting inside an extraterrestrial mind and critiques Hollywood's depiction of scientists. Furthermore, she shines a light on the empowering representation of female scientists through the film's lead character, offering a fresh perspective on women's roles in science.
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Linguistics Origin Story
- Jessica Kuhn discovered linguistics through Ted Chiang's "Story of Your Life."
- Years later, she consulted on the film adaptation, Arrival, based on the same novella.
Linguistics vs. Translation
- Linguists are scientists studying human language, not translators.
- Many linguists speak multiple languages, but it isn't a requirement.
Whiteboard Insights
- Jessica's whiteboard exercises on alien communication informed a key Arrival scene.
- Amy Adams' character explains the complexities of interspecies communication.
